Who Established Arab Open University?
The idea of establishing Arab Open University in Arab region as a non-profit project belongs to the initiative of His Royal Highness Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, President of Arab Gulf Program for Development – AGFUND. In 1996 he announced his initiative to establish an Arab Open University as an unconventional academic entity and as an institution contributing in directing development in the scientific, social and cultural fields.
Why was the university established?
The university was established to offer education for all groups of society, enable them to develop their countries, overcome all obstacles facing them, and provide equal opportunities regardless of gender, color, race, economic and social conditions, spatial and temporal.
Are there branches of the university within the Arab world?
The Arab Open University practices its educational and academic activities in nine Arab countries (Saudi Arabia - Kuwait - Bahrain - Sultanate of Oman - Egypt - Jordan - Lebanon - Sudan - and Palestine).
Are there branches in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
Yes, there are six branches of the university in Saudi Arabia in the following cities:
Riyadh - Jeddah - Dammam - Medina - Al-Ahsa - Hail
What distinguishes the Arab Open University?
First: It is the most widespread university in the Arab region: The university is spread in nine Arab countries, and this spread achieves a secure base of diverse competencies, including academic experience at the level of the Arab region and the exchange of distinct experiences and expertise.
Second: It’s educational system: the university offers a systematic (integrated) educational system that balances between traditional learning and e-learning. It aims to help the learner to achieve the targeted learning outcomes, by merging between the forms of traditional learning in which the student receives learning through direct classroom meetings and E-learning methods inside and outside the classroom.
Third: Arab Open University holds an academic and institutional accreditation from the Open University in the United Kingdom.
Fourth: It is subject to four types of performance evaluation: evaluation of external examiners, external evaluation (international) from the Open University in Britain, local evaluation from the Ministry of Education, internal evaluation within the framework of the university (quality assurance).
Fifth: The first university to offer programs for the deaf and hard of hearing in the Arab world.
Sixth: More than 120 different nationalities are studying at the Arab Open University.
What are university’s admission conditions?
The applicant must fulfill the following conditions:
a. Obtain a high school diploma issued by the Saudi Ministry of Education or its equivalent from other countries, provided that they are approved by the relevant authorities
b. Perform the "assessment test" approved by the "National Center for assessments".
c. High school certificate should be a "scientific track" in order to be admitted to the College of Computer Studies.
What are the programs offered at the university?
- Bachelor of Information Technology and Computing
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of English Language and Literature
What are the majors and paths accredited to the university?
Bachelor of Computer Studies
- Information Technology and computing Path
- Computer Science Path
- Network and Security Path
- Web development path
- Computing and Business Path
Bachelor of Business Studies
- Systems path
- Marketing Path
- Accounting Path
Bachelor of English Language and Literature
What is the language of study at the university?
English Language
Is there a placement test to determine the linguistic level of the student?
A. All new students shall take a placement test in Arabic and English.
B. Non -Arabic speakers are excluded from taking the Arabic placement test.
C. Exclusion from taking the placement test in the English language or exempting from the some of the courses, is based on the marks mentioned in the table below and according to the student level in each of the TOFEL, IELTS, or STEP exams, provided that it has not been two years since the student passed the mentioned tests
| | | | Paper Based
| Computer Based
(CBT) | Internet based (IBT)
| |
| EL097 | 51 | 3 | 397 | 93 | 30 | EL097 |
| EL098 | 64 | 4 | 437 | 123 | 41 | EL098 |
| EL099 | 76 | 4.5 | 477 | 153 | 53 | EL099 |
| EL111 | 88 | 5.5 | 513 | 183 | 65 | EL111 |
| EL112 | 99 | 6.5 | 550 | 213 | 79 | EL112 |
What is the study period to obtain a bachelor's degree?
The duration of the study is four academic years, each two semesters is considered an academic year. Registration is also available in summer semesters. This duration will be considered in the event that the student passes the three intensive course levels in the placement test for the English language.
Is there an upper and lower limit for the academic credits registered in each semester?
First: The registered academic credits must not be less than 12 credit hours per semester, and the College Council may reduce that limit to 9 credit hours. It must not exceed 21 hours for both the first and second semester, and the university rector may raise that limit to 24 credit hours for the student expected to graduate.
Second: Those whose GPA is less than two points are not allowed to register more than 16 credit hours.
Third: The maximum credit hours that a student registers in the summer semester is twelve (12) credit hours. The maximum limit may be raised to sixteen (16) credit hours for the student expected to graduate with the prior approval of the rector.
Fourth: The minimum registration academic credits are three (3) credit hours.
How can a complaints or suggestions be submitted?
The student can submit a complaints or suggestions through the following systems:
- SIS, complaints and inquiries system.
- Student's e-mail.
- LMS Learning Management System.
- Academic Advising Unit.
Does the university adopt the preparatory year system?
The university’s education system is credit hours system, so a student can, through placement tests, pass preparatory year and register major courses from the first semester at the university.
Are the preparatory year counted within the required credits for the program?
The Intensive Courses Program does not fall within the number of credit hours for the program (EL099 - EL098-EL097)
Is it possible to register major courses during the preparatory year?
Yes, it is possible to register major courses during the first year if the prerequisite is fulfilled.
What is meant by even week and odd week in the school schedule?
Each semester in Arab Open University extends from (14-16) weeks. The first, third, fifth week, etc. are odd weeks. The second, fourth, sixth week, etc. are even weeks.
There are courses that are taught every two weeks, and therefore they are taught in add or even weeks, and there are courses taught weekly.
What are the means of communication at the university?
Through the e-mail of the following university administration and staff :
- Student Affairs (std.affairs@arabou.edu.sa)
- Admission and Registration (en@arabou.edu.sa)
- Public Relations (pr@arabou.edu.sa) Or through social media, as follows:
- Twitter: AOU_KSAB
- Facebook: AOU_SAB
- Snapchat: aou_ksab
- Instagram: aou_ksab
Is the Arab Open University accredited?
Yes, the Arab Open University in Saudi Arabia is accredited by the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia, and it has a partnership and accreditation with the Open University in Britain, which is one of the best British universities.
What is the language of study at the university?
English language, except for the Accounting track which is available in both languages Arabic and English.
What are the programs and tracks offered at the university?
The university offers the following tracks and programs:
-Bachelor of Business Studies:
- Bachelor business studies (Marketing).
- Bachelor business studies (System).
- Bachelor business studies (Accounting).
- Bachelor business studies (Accounting in Arabic).
-Bachelor of Computer Studies:
- Information Technology and computing track.
- Computer Science track.
- Network and Security track.
- Web development track.
- Computing and Business track.
-Bachelor of English Language and Literature.
Is there a placement test to determine the linguistic level of the student?
All new students shall take a
placement test in Arabic and English. These tests aim determine the
student s level in both Arabic and English, and based on the student
result the courses are determined.
What is the study period to obtain a bachelor's degree?
The duration of the study is four
academic years, each two semesters is considered an academic year.
Registration is also available in summer semesters. This duration will
be considered in the event that the student passes the three intensive
course levels in the placement test for the English language.
What are university’s admission conditions?
The applicant must fulfill the following conditions:
- Obtain a high school diploma issued by the Saudi Ministry of Education or its equivalent from other countries, provided that they are approved by the relevant authorities
- Perform the "assessment test" approved by the "National Center for assessments".
- High school certificate should be a "scientific track" in order to be admitted to the College of Computer Studies.
Does the university adopt the preparatory year system?
The university’s education system is credit hours system, so a student can, through placement tests, pass preparatory year and register major courses from the first semester at the university.
Are the preparatory year counted within the required credits for the program?
The Intensive Courses Program does not fall within the number of credit hours for the program (EL099 - EL098-EL097) .
Is it possible to register major courses during the preparatory year?
Yes, it is possible to register major courses during the first year if the prerequisite is fulfilled.
How much is the tuition fee at the Arab Open University?
The tuition fees for one semester are related to the number of hours registered by the student, but the estimated cost ranges between 6,000 - 10,000 Saudi riyals, and in a year between 12,000 - 15,000 thousand Saudi riyals, depending on the number of courses registered for the semester and tax fees for non-Saudis.
How to register at the Arab Open University?
Registration is through the university’s official website "online", by filling out the application form and clearly uploading the required files:
- Secondary school certificate stamped and colored with the stamp of the Ministry of Education, and secondary school certificates from outside the Kingdom shall be sealed by the cultural attaché.
- A valid national card for Saudis and residency for non-Saudis, and a passport for non-Saudis.
- A recent passport size 4 × 6 photo.
After issuing the application number, a registration fee of (437) SR will be paid, please notice it is not refundable, then a message will be sent to the enrolled person on his email to set an appointment for the English and Arabic language placement test. After completing the test, the students will receive their determining level test score on their email with a text message with the following:
- University Student ID.
- The exam score in determining the English language level test.
- The method of registering the courses, based on the test score.
- Explain how to use the SIS and LMS system, which is available after paying the tuition fees.
The number of registration per semester?
The Arab Open University has two registration periods:
- The first period: at the beginning of the semester for freshmen and continuing students, are allowed to register in the general and specialized courses.
- The second period: at the middle of the semester, are allowed to register in the Intensive English Courses only.
Is there a maximum and minimum number of hours registered in the semester?
The registered academic credits must not be less than 3 hours and not more than 16 to 21 hours according to the study plan for each major for the first and second semester, and not less than 3 hours and not more than 11 hours for the summer semester.
The GPA in the Arab Open University?
A: It is from 4.
Is there an equivalence for courses studied in other universities or colleges?
Yes, it is available if you meet the conditions and conditions of equivalency at the university.
What are the documents required for courses equivalency?
Bring the following:
- Fill out the equivalence application form.
- Certified Bachelor's degree or diploma, original and copy.
- Certified and stamped academic record.
- Course description of the studied subjects, certified and stamped.
What are the conditions that must be met to accept equivalency requests?
- The student must have a ‘c’ grade or above in the courses.
- The course content should match at least 80% of the content of the Arab Open University course.
- The number of course credit hours (the number of units) is not less
than the number of credit hours of the Arab Open University course.
How can students pay their fees?
- Direct payment via the electronic payment service through the university's website after entering the student system.
- Payment via the payment service of the invoice number 017, and the subscriber's number is the student’s ID (note the university does not accept deposits and bank transfers).
Is it possible to postpone or discontinue the study?
Postponement:
A continuous student (not a fresh one) may submit a request to postpone the study, within a period not exceeding two weeks from the beginning of the semester, provided that the postponement period does not exceed six semesters, whether continuous or discontinuous semesters, and it is not counted from the upper limit of the allowed period of study to finish Graduation requirements.
Discontinuous:
If a student is not enrolled in any course during one semester, the student will be labeled as a discontinued student in that semester. The student may not be discontinued for more than three consecutive or interrupted semesters.
Is there a possibility to add or drop a registered course?
Yes, it is possible to add or drop any course during the registration or adding and dropping periods that announced for each semester.
How to drop a course?
The student may drop any course, one week before the start of the final exams, the course fees are not refundable and the dropping request is submitted through Admission and Registration Department.
How can students apply for a withdrawal from the university?
By filling the university withdrawal form and sending it to the admission and registration department from the student email, and execute on the condition that there is no financial disclosure for the student.
In case the student drops a course after add and drop period, is there a deduction on the refunded price?
Yes, the student has the right to get a refund amount from the fees in certain rates during the drop and add period according to the announced dates.
And after the end of the third week, the student will not get any refund amount from the course fees.
What is meant by the financial disclosure?
The student's financial disclosure is the amount recorded in the student information system as the amount the student has not paid.
Can the student register courses and then pay the previous financial disclosure?
The student must pay all the previous financial disclosures before registering any new courses.
Is there a system for tuition fees installment? What are its conditions?
Yes, there is a tuition fee installment system. In order to have it, the student should has completed 20 study hours and his cumulative average is more than 2, and the priority for registration in the installment system is according to the academic calendar announcement or the completion of the specified seats.
What is academic warning and is there a limit for warning?
It is a warning to the student when the GPA is less than 2 out of 4.
And if the student receives five academic warnings; will be dismiss from the university, and has the right to re-enroll in another major.
What are the consequences for an academic warned student?
The student gets a first warning and is given an opportunity to improve and raise GPA to 2. If the student continues with a low GPA and gets more than 5 warnings; will be dismiss from the university and has the right to re-enroll in another major with new university file and ID.
Are there conditions for obtaining an official transcript?
Pay 43.75 SR fees to get an official transcript.
How can I get the academic plan for the academic program?
All academic plans for academic programs are available on the university’s website, or through the academic department, or on the student page in the SIS.
Can students change the times of their schedule?
Yes, they can do that during the registration period that announced before and depending on the sections availability
What are the procedures for certifying graduation certificates?
Going to the Ministry of Education to stamp the Saudi certificate and the academic record with the official seal, for both Saudis and non-Saudis.
Is the students allowed to transfer between tracks, academic programs, university branches?
Yes, they can do that.
Please have a look at the Students Transfer Bylaws (Please Click Here)
Admission and registration regulations
Please Click Here
What are the procedures required to issue a student card?
To be a student at the university, have a student ID number, and pay the student card fees.
Does the university offer a scholarship to the student?
Yes, there are two scholarship types at Arab Open University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
What are the types of scholarships and what are their conditions?
Excellence Scholarships:
Scholarships are given to outstanding students who have cumulative GPA of (3.67-4.00), completed at least two semesters at Arab Open University, and accomplished at least (32 credit hours).
Arab Open University Scholarships (Student Fund):
The student must be registered at Arab Open University in the semester in which he applies for the scholarship.
The student has accomplished a minimum of 16 hours.
The student has a GPA of no less than 2.00.
The student paid all previous fees.
The student paid the all fees except for the academic credit fees.
(For inquiries, please refer to the Student Affairs Department).
How can I get a student identification letter?
First, pay the letter fees. Then, request it through the Student Affairs Department.
How can a student submit a postponement of the midterm exam?
Submit the excuse to Student Affairs Department after paying the postponing exam fees.
For cases that have compulsory excuses, fees are excluded.
How can a student submit a postponement request for the final exam?
Submit the excuse to Student Affairs Department after paying the postponing exam fees.
For cases that have compulsory excuses, fees are excluded.
How can students pay their fees?
There are two payment methods:
1- Direct payment via the electronic payment service through the university's website after entering the student system.
2- Payment via the payment service of the invoice number 017.
Knowing that depositing or transferring to university accounts is permissible permissible, and the student bears any consequences for that, his schedule has been deleted.
How much are the fees of one semester?
The tuition fees for one semester depends on the number of hours that the student registers, however, the estimated cost ranges between 6,000 - 10,000 Saudi riyals.
In case the student drops a course during add and drop period, is there a deduction on the refunded price?
If a course is dropped during the add and drop period, the full price will be refunded.
What is meant by the financial disclosure?
The student's financial disclosure is the amount recorded in the student information system as the amount the student has not paid.
Can the student register courses and then pay the previous financial disclosure?
The student must pay all the previous financial disclosures before registering any new courses.
Is there a system for tuition fees installment? What are its conditions?
A. Filling the installment application form manually by the student, the form may be requested from Student Affairs Department.B. Ensure that the student meet following conditions:
1. The student must be registered for the courses in the semester in which he applies for the installment application.
2. The student's GPA must not be less than 2.00 out of 4.
3. The student must not have any previous financial depts.
4. The student must pay all fees, except the credit fees, until the installment committee decides whether to approve or not the application.
the mechanism for getting installments
| 1 | Fresh student | NA | NA |
| 2 | EL097 | NA | NA |
| 3 | Accomplished hours <20 | 80% of tuitions | 20% of tuitions |
| 4 | Accomplished hours are between 20 and 89 | 70% of tuitions | 30% of tuitions |
| 5 | Accomplished hours <90 | 50% of tuitions | 50% of tuitions
|
What is the student’s email?
The student's e-mail is a mail created on the university's server and domain (@ aou.edu.sa) once a student's ID number is issued. The email consists of the student's ID preceded by the letter (S). For example (S123456@aou.edu.sa), given that 123456 is the student’s ID number.
How can the student's email be accessed?
- Go to the university’s website on this link (http://web.arabou.edu.sa/en/)
- Click on the Student E-Mail tab
- Enter the user name and password
The student email can be used to request all student services and inquires, and to contact all administrative and academic staff.
What is the Student Information System (SIS)?
It is an electronic system that contains all student’s information, starting with their admission application to their registered courses, academic results in each semester, and tuition fees until the student graduates from the university.
How can SIS be accessed?
Through the student information system link, which is listed on the university’s website
What are the services provided by the Student Information System (SIS)?
The student can benefit from the student information system through the following services:
- Courses registration.
- Check semester tuition.
- Check the assessments results.
- Check the study plan.
- Check available and closed courses’ sessions.
- Submit inquiries, complaints, or appeals to the assessments results.
What if Student Information System (SIS) cannot be accessed?
Contact technical support representatives via the university's phone numbers, or e-mail.
What is the Learning Management System (LMS)?
It is an electronic system or computer program designed to assist in managing, monitoring and evaluating training and education.
That's where all the learning activities takes place remotely. It is also described as an e-learning platform. It is one of the most important modern tools for distance learning.
What are the services provided by the Learning Management System (LMS)?
Students can browse the course contents that they registered.
Students can submit electronic Homework, electronic tests.
Students can browse course supporting materials.
The system allows students to communicate with their tutors and colleagues in the course through specialized forums.
What can be done when the Learning Management System (LMS) cannot be accessed?
Contact the technical support.
How to access e-courses in the Learning Management System (LMS)?
Go to the course page of the Learning Management System (LMS), then enter the centralized LMS (CLMS), then press (Mc-Graw-Hill) icon.
How to access the virtual lectures in the Learning Management System (LMS)?
Go to the course page of the Learning Management System (LMS), then click on the lecture link.
Is there a set time for receiving textbooks?
Yes, there is a specific time for receiving books, after that the student is not entitled to receive their books. That period is announced in the university's website each semester.
If the student fails a course, will he pay the book fees again?
The student does not pay the books fees again if the same course is re-examined and the book was received the first time (pre-taken). In the event that the course book changes due to an update in the study plans, the student must pay the fees for the new books for the course.
Is a student entitled to purchase a book that is not included in his study plan?
Yes, the student can purchase any book he wants outside his study plan by paying the price of the book.
Can a student be exempt from the price of a book?
The student can only be exempt from the price of a book if their first degree relative (brother, sister, or husband) is a student at the university in the same major and the book was previously received, with the exception of the e-books.
Can a student returns books after receiving them?
Books can be returned in one case; if the student accidentally registered the course and it is not part of his study plan.
Can the student, after receiving the book sets and discover that there is a deficiency in it, claim the missing part?
Students must check their books the moment they receive them. After receiving them, they cannot claim that they are not complete.
Can a student be delivered part of a book set?
This can be done in special cases such as the late arrival of parts of the book set from the supplier. In this case, the student is delivered the set as a partial recipient on the system.
Can students exchange books if they fail the course and book edition got change?
The student can only exchange books, after paying for the new book.
If students receive books and withdraw from the university, then register again with a new ID number, may they exempt the books fees that they received by the previous ID number?
The students can be exempt from the books fees if they received them with the old ID number, after making sure that he received them.
Can a student registered in one branch in Saudi Arabia receive books from another branch in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, they can. For example, a student registered in the Dammam branch can receive from Jeddah branch or any other branch of the university within Saudi Arabia.
Can a student exchange the book in the event of a typo in the content of the book?
The student may return any book that has a typographical problem or damage after receiving it. The book will be exchanged with another copy.
Can a student exchange his book with a newer version if two editions are used at the same time?
The student cannot exchange the book with the newer version if the two editions have the same content and there is no fundamental difference between them.
Can a student return books if he withdraws completely from the university?
The withdrawing student can return the books received in the registration or adding and dropping periods after which he cannot return the books received.
Can the student receive the textbooks before fully paying the learning resources fees (for installers)?
The student does not receive his textbooks until after the administrative fees, including the of the learning resources fees, have been fully paid.
How can student benefit from the electronic services provided by the university library?
The electronic library can be accessed through the Learning Management System (LMS). There is also a guide for students in the learning resources department on how to access the electronic library.
